Now in Joe’s coat’s abyss had gone

Now in Joe’s coat’s abyss had gone A fourp’ny silver piece; He found it, and a smile then shone; He damp’d it with a kiss, And sought the nearest paper shop, With pen and ink there drew, Or wrote, or rudely tried to drop— A few lines to Westlooe, And told his dear wife, “Agnes-Ann,” To send him by first post Some money. Thus the letter ran— “Dear Agnes-Ann,—I’ve lost, I’ve lost, my dear, my leathern pouch, I’ve not a copper left; I’ve been oblig’d to leave my watch To pay——, so do be swift.”

(etc.) * * * * *

’Twas done: his wife took pen in hand And sent a “P.O.O.,” To pay, she said, at “Saint-le-Grand,” Five pounds in gold to Joe.